Loch Lomond 4/17

The night was uneventful. Cold, but we were able to sleep in the same room without much trouble. It was pretty much lights out, however, after it got dark since girl number two was not yet asleep and steps needed to be taken in order to facilitate her sleepiness.

In the morning Xyla slept in and I made a fire. While I waited for her to wake up, Andrea and Rose went for a walk. When they returned, Rose, Xyla and I went on nearly the same walk – up to the top of the hill where the Iron Age fort was located. The property around the farmhouse is absolutely beautiful – may have mentioned that last night, and the drive to our destination today pretty much confirmed that Scotland is pretty nice.

Along the way we stopped for coffee and milks in a small village at a coffee shop which is a converted smithy. It is right along a small stream and was one of those places that surely comes with its own challenges, but for the outsider looks absolutely ideal.

Our second stop was in a small town for lunch items and this spot provided us with a view of “down to earth” Scotland. By that I mean that the town was run-down and the central square had a lot of folks just hanging around on benches. It is my contention that they were all waiting for the bar to open. Not sure, but by the looks of the folks and the town, it could be the case. While we were walking around trying to find a store, I had visions of some crazy dawn-of-the-dead type thing happening. I’m positive that we got out of town just as the place started to get lively with zombies. Nothing in the news, but you never know.

We drove by a ton of small lakes and open spaces along the way and it was clear that there is a right-to-roam/right-to-fish/right-to-camp thing in Scotland. There were many cars parked along the road and each was paired with a fisherman, a gaggle of tents or a missing person. For lunch, we decided to be part of the group and drove across a field to a small stream. To be fair there was a small parking area near the road and a council-supported rubbish bin so we figured that the spot was in play. The tire tracks on the grass also helped identify the space as public – or the spot where all the kids go to party. Anyway, we had a wonderful lunch along a small stream and before long we were joined by a golfer. I mentioned something about this yesterday, but the whole country looks like a golf course. They even mow it to keep the grass in check lest someone need to take a few strokes.

We are now at the youth hostel at Lake Lomond – a building that is an old manor house (pictured below). It’s huge, has some of its original features, but for the most part has been converted to serve as a, well… youth hostel. I had fun cooking in the kitchen this evening and will again tomorrow. I am aching to find some good seafood around here and maybe our full day in the area will help me figure out where that can be had. We ate early and while I was doing the dishes a whole host of folks came in to cook. It was a madhouse.

Like last night, we will all be staying in the same room, but for a twist on the theme, we have been provided with bunk beds. Rose has the top bunk on the girls’ side of the room and the adult bunk bed has a double bottom and a single top. We are here for two nights so I hope it works out.

Tomorrow: bike rental and a ride around the lake.